Why will 2010 be a good year for Panama - Here are some predictions by @shatz007

I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Ilan Shatz on LinkedIn and I was glad he shared insights regarding Panama and what opportunities are available. Some of Ilan's current activities include enhancing business between Panama and Israel as the VP at the Panama-Israel Chamber of Commerce and finding and managing his Panama real estate investments through Gobea Investment Group (his real estate investment company).

Please share your thoughts and pass it along to a friend if you find the list valuable. Here's Ilan's list of the 2010 Panama opportunities:

• tourism: Panama is moving forward. It is tracking more and more visitors every year and yet there are not enough hotel and restaurant facilities.
• real estate: Colon Canal expansion, the free zone, new road to bocas from Colon.
• education: with a budget of 65 M from one side and decision of the Panamanian government to reduce the activity of fiscal paradise there is a lot do with education.
• high tech: new VC and angel groups are being established. With 16 B USD in the bank industry i assume we will start seeing new high tech industry created in Panama.
• security: with the prosperity comes problem comes the increase in crime that will push the government to upgrade the police force and to establish new units.
• health: Panama, with world class medical facilities and with it great doctors and cheap labor, will continue growing in this sector. We will keep seeing more and more patients coming from the US as well from other countries in the region to get medical treatment in Panama.

So what do you think? Have more to say or more insight? Share it!

BTW, you can follow Ilan on Twitter: @shatz007